This is winter? South Florida feels more like Spring

Although South Florida saw a burst of below-normal cold at the beginning of January, the second half of the month felt more like Spring, with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s.

On average, January's high temperatures reach about 75 degrees in West Palm Beach, 76 in Fort Lauderdale and 77 in Miami.

The region also has been extremely dry, with some areas seeing about 8 inches less rain than normal. The warm-dry pattern likely will continue for the next week and possibly longer, the National Weather Service in Miami said Tuesday.

"This pattern, across most of the United States, has been very stubborn to change this winter," meteorologist Kim Brabander said.

He said February might end up warmer than normal, but it's possible South Florida could see another cold outbreak "We have had many an occasion where strong fronts come through in February."

The primary force behind the dry and warm conditions: La Niña, which works to block cold fronts and their associated rain from reaching this far south.

Brabander said South Florida should remain warm through the weekend. Meanwhile, there is a risk of rip currents at the beaches over the two few days because of the breezy conditions.